What would our lives have possibly been if we did not have our soldiers standing on the border? This is another heroic story of a brave soldier, Bahadur Singh Bohra. His name itself says “Bahadur” which means brave. Bahadur Singh Bohra was a Non-commissioned officer (NCO) of the 10th Battalion, Parachute Regiment of the Indian Army.
He was awarded the Ashok Chakra (India’s highest peacetime gallantry award) for his immense bravery and supreme sacrifice. Bahadur Singh was born in the small village of Rawal Khet in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand. He was the youngest among his four siblings.
He was always very passionate about joining the Indian Army and doing something extraordinary for his nation. Later on, he joined the Indian army and opted for Para Special Forces. These forces are known for their extravagant courage and unyielding fighting spirit.
In 2008 Bohra was serving with the 10th Para Special Forces posted in Jammu and Kashmir.
There were some confidential reports about the presence of terrorists in the areas of Lawang, J&K. Based upon them, The Special Security Forces decided to do a search and destroy mission with the team of 10th Para Special Forces on 25 September 2008.
Havaldar Bahadur Singh Bohra was appointed as the squad commander of an assault team for the operation. This team was directed to execute the search operations in snow-covered areas, dangerous mountains, and mountainous terrain of Lawang at an altitude of 14000 feet.
After walking for hours, Bohra observed a group of terrorists and approached to confront them. Suddenly Bohra pulled up heavy automatic firearms all by himself. He pointed them at the terrorists and in a reflex action killed one of them. In the intense firing, he suffered gunshot wounds to his left shoulder but he kept moving ignoring his physical wounds and serious condition. Focused on encouraging and directing his comrades, later he pressed on with the assault and killed the second terrorist at a very close range.
Despite being severely injured he kept moving forward and killed one more terrorist. Inspired by his supreme valor his comrades killed two more terrorists. During his last act of valor, HavaldarBahadur Singh Bohra took his last breath on 25 September 2008 in Lawang, J&K.
It is rightly said, “To be heroic is to be valiant enough to be willing to die for something; to be an inspiration is to be crazy enough to live a little more”.